Mahavatar Narsimha

Sage Kashyapa is in the middle of evening prayers when Diti asks for children. He warns that the union would be inauspicious, yet he yields to marital duty. Because Diti approached at an inauspicious hour, Kashyapa prophesies that she will bear two sons who will threaten Vishnu, and these Daityas will be slain by Vishnu.

The two brothers are born and trained in tamasic knowledge and mystical powers under Shukracharya. As they grow in power, they wage war on the universe, challenging the Devas and setting themselves against Vishnu's order. Their rivalry marks the beginning of a cosmic conflict between dharma and arrogance.

Hiranyaksha captures Bhudevi, imprisoning her in the Garbodhaka ocean and throwing the world into chaos. Vishnu descends as Varaha, a colossal boar, and battles across the cosmic waters, ultimately killing Hiranyaksha and rescuing Bhudevi.

Devastated by Hiranyaksha's death, Hiranyakashipu retreats to the Himalayas for intense tapasya. His austerities attract Brahma's attention, and a boon is granted: he cannot be slain by any creation of Brahma, at any time, anywhere, by weapon or by hand.

Empowered by the boon, Hiranyakashipu conquers the Devas' realms and proclaims himself God of the Universe. He imposes his rule over heaven, earth, and sky, challenging the very order of the cosmos.

While Hiranyakashipu is away, Indra abducts his wife Kayadhu. Narada intervenes as a guru, shelters Kayadhu in his ashram, and teaches devotion to Vishnu, a doctrine her unborn child Prahlad receives in the womb.

Prahlad, though unborn, absorbs Narada's teachings and grows with unwavering devotion to Vishnu. His spiritual foundation is laid before birth, shaping his future steadfast faith.

Back from exile, Prahlad refuses to acknowledge his father as God and remains devoted to Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu enlists his sages and advisers to reform the boy, but Prahlad's faith resists all pressure and coercion.

To break Prahlad's devotion, Hiranyakashipu subjects him to brutal torments, including mad elephants and a perilous fall from a cliff. Each ordeal fails as Prahlad remains protected by Vishnu and unwavering in his faith.

Hiranyakashipu orders Holika, who is immune to fire by boon, to burn Prahlad alive. Holika is consumed by flames, but Prahlad remains unharmed, proving that divine devotion transcends magical protections.

Prahlad is cast into the sea, yet Varuna saves him and urges him to call on Vishnu. Prahlad does so, and Vishnu reveals himself to the devotee, reaffirming his devotion and divine protection.

Prahlad's faith triggers Vishnu's appearance as Narasimha, a being with a man's body and a lion's head. From a pillar, Narasimha emerges and begins a ferocious battle against the demon king.

In a climactic confrontation, Narasimha slays Hiranyakashipu at twilight, on a threshold, on his lap, using his claws—namely circumventing Brahma's boon and proving divine justice prevails.

Following the demon lord's defeat, Narasimha calms Prahlad's fear and blesses him, noting that Hiranyakashipu's sins are absolved through divine contact. Narada adds a reminder about the incarnations of Jaya and Vijaya across yugas.

Surrounding devotees and gods gather to perform the Narasimha Aarti in reverence for Vishnu's fierce protection and boundless grace. The cosmic order is celebrated as the devotees honor the divine savior who protected Prahlad.